Did Petunia Know About Magic Before She Saw Marge Fly Away?

Yes, Petunia Dursley, Lily Potter's sister and Harry Potter's aunt, was well aware of the world of magic long before she witnessed Marge Ubbins flying away in The Prisoner of Azkaban. Much of this knowledge stemmed from her experiences with her sister, Lily, and the family's connections to the magical world.

Understanding the Magic World from a Young Age

Petunia, despite her disinterest in her sister's magical world, was fully aware of the fact that Lily was a witch. Just as Dudley Dursley learned that his cousin Harry Potter was a wizard, Petunia had to accept that her little sister was part of the wizarding community. This knowledge often came from overhearing conversations between Lily and their friend Severus Snape when they were children. Petunia's jealousy of her sister's magical abilities was palpable, often leading her to ask Albus Dumbledore for an invitation to attend Hogwarts. However, she was denied, and her response to this rejection only highlighted her feelings of inadequacy and envy.

Longstanding Connections to the Magical World

During the time when she and her sister attended Lily and James Potter's wedding, Petunia also participated in the wizarding world to a certain extent. She sent an invitation to the Potters to attend her own wedding, which was the last time she ever saw her sister alive. This invitation, though ceremonious, symbolized the final connection she had with the magical world and her sister. Petunia's continued association with Severus Snape, Lily's childhood best friend, further reinforced her understanding of the magical community.

The Hunger for Control Over Harry Potter

When Harry Potter was left on the doorstep of the Dursleys in 1981, the magic within him was a source of both fascination and fear for Petunia and her husband, Vernon Dursley. The Dursleys were determined to stamp out any traces of magical influence in Harry so as to shield him from becoming like his parents. This decision to suppress Harry's magical abilities was a constant source of tension within the household, with Petunia often caught between her own fears and the knowledge of her sister's world.

Conclusion

Beyond the initial shock of her sister being a witch, Petunia's life was deeply entwined with the magical world. Her knowledge of magic, though often overshadowed by her distaste for it, was a significant part of her past. Witnessing Marge Ubbins flying away in Harry Potter The Prisoner of Azkaban was a reiteration of the world she had always known, but tried to deny. Understanding Petunia's perspective enriches the narrative of the Harry Potter series, providing a unique glimpse into the complex relationships between family members and magical worlds.